Storage apparatus for shuffling removable storage media

ABSTRACT

The technology disclosed herein enables a gripper to shuffle items of removable storage media within a storage apparatus for those items. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing for items of removable storage media. A top channel and a bottom channel are shaped to accept and store the items in respective single-file rows via an opening at one end of the rows. The apparatus also includes a shuffler for moving a first subset of the items, including ones of the items located in the bottom channel, towards the opening. When in a resting position, the shuffler includes a catch located at the opening and is connected to a rake at a closed side of the housing at an opposite end from the opening. The rake moves the first subset towards the opening when a gripper grips the catch and pulls outward from the opening. The shuffler returns to the resting position when the gripper releases the catch.

Please delete paragraphs [0003] through [0017] provided in the SummarySection beginning at page 2, line 2 and continuing through page 4, line9, and please replace with the following paragraphs:

The present invention is directed toward an apparatus including ahousing and a shuffler. The housing is configured to receive and retaina plurality of removable storage media. In various embodiments, thehousing includes an open first end, an opposed, closed second end, afirst channel that is configured to receive and retain a first subset ofthe plurality of removable storage media, and a second channel that isconfigured to receive and retain a second subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media. The first channel and the second channel areshaped to receive and retain the plurality of removable storage media inrespective single-file rows via the open first end. The shuffler ispositioned at least partially within the housing. In many embodiments,the shuffler is movable between a resting position and a second positionwherein the shuffler has been moved away from the resting position. Theshuffler includes a rake that protrudes into the first channel tocontact and move a first removable storage medium of the first subset ofthe plurality of removable storage media toward the open first end whenthe shuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position.

In some embodiments, when the rake contacts and moves the firstremovable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media toward the open first end as the shuffler ismoved from the resting position to the second position, the shufflermoves each of the first subset of the plurality of removable storagemedia toward the open first end.

In certain embodiments, the shuffler further includes a catch that iscoupled to the rake. When the shuffler is in the resting position, thecatch is located near the open first end and the rake is positioned nearthe closed second end.

In many embodiments, the apparatus further includes a gripper that isconfigured to selectively grip the catch and pull the catch outwardlyaway from the open first end to move the shuffler from the restingposition to the second position.

In some embodiments, the gripper includes a robotic transport within anautomated removable storage media library. The robotic transport caninclude a body and a claw that is coupled to the body. In oneembodiment, the claw is configured to selectively grip the catch to movethe shuffler from the resting position to the second position.

In certain embodiments, when the shuffler is in the resting position,the catch is positioned relative to a second removable storage medium ofthe first subset of the plurality of removable storage media such that,when the gripper grips the second removable storage medium, the gripperalso grips the catch.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes computingarchitecture including a processing system that is configured to controlthe gripper.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus further includes a spring that isattached to the shuffler and the housing. In one embodiment, force fromthe spring returns the shuffler to the resting position when the catchis released by the gripper.

In some embodiments, the shuffler further includes a second rake thatprotrudes into the first channel to contact and move a second removablestorage medium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storagemedia toward the open first end when the shuffler is moved from theresting position to the second position. In one embodiment, the secondrake is collapsible.

In various embodiments, the first channel is a bottom channel that isconfigured to receive and retain the first subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media, and the second channel is a top channel that isconfigured to receive and retain the second subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media. In some embodiments, the top channel ispositioned substantially directly above the bottom channel.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus further includes a separator thatinhibits the second subset of the plurality of removable storage mediafrom falling onto the first subset of the plurality of removable storagemedia.

In some embodiments, a gap in the separator at the closed second end islarge enough to allow a second removable storage medium of the secondsubset of the plurality of removable storage media to fall into thebottom channel. In certain embodiments, the apparatus further includes aretaining catch that is located in the gap.

In many embodiments, when the shuffler has been moved away from theresting position, the retaining catch holds the second removable storagemedium in the top channel, and when the shuffler returns to the restingposition, the retaining catch is released to allow the second removablestorage medium to fall into the bottom channel.

In certain embodiments, when inserting a third removable storage mediuminto the top channel for inclusion in the second subset of the pluralityof removable storage media, the third removable storage medium pushesother removable storage media in the second subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media towards the closed second end, and the secondremovable storage medium falls into the bottom channel upon clearing thegap.

In various embodiments, the plurality of removable storage media includemagnetic tape cartridges.

The present invention is further directed toward a method including thesteps of (i) receiving and retaining a plurality of removable storagemedia within a housing, the housing including an open first end, anopposed, closed second end, a first channel that is configured toreceive and retain a first subset of the plurality of removable storagemedia, and a second channel that is configured to receive and retain asecond subset of the plurality of removable storage media, the firstchannel and the second channel being shaped to receive and retain theplurality of removable storage media in respective single-file rows viathe open first end; (ii) positioning a shuffler at least partiallywithin the housing; and (iii) moving the shuffler between a restingposition and a second position wherein the shuffler has been moved awayfrom the resting position, the shuffler including a rake that protrudesinto the first channel to contact and move a first removable storagemedium of the first subset of the plurality of removable storage mediatoward the open first end when the shuffler is moved from the restingposition to the second position.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0027] for theprevious paragraph [0027] beginning on page 5, line 14, as follows:

FIG. 1A illustrates storage apparatus 100 in which items of removablestorage media can be shuffled. Storage apparatus 100 includes housing101 and shuffler 111. Housing 101 may be manufactured out of metal,plastic, composite, or some other type of manufacturingmaterial—including combinations thereof. Shuffler 111 may bemanufactured out of the same material(s) as housing 101 or thematerial(s) may differ. The housing includes an open first end 131 andan opposed, closed second end 132. It should be understood that closedside second end 132 is called the closed second end because media itemsare not intended to be inserted/removed from closed second end 132through an opening in housing 101. There may still be an opening of somekind in closed second end 132, although, that opening would not be onethrough which media items may pass during the operation describedherein. While only shown in two dimensions, housing 101 is shaped as asubstantially rectangular box to accept and store items of removablestorage media therein. Items of removable storage media may includemagnetic tape cartridges, optical disk cartridges, hot-swappable harddisk drives, or some other type of storage media designed to be readilyinserted into and removed from an access device. Two such items ofremovable storage media, media item 121 and media item 124, are peekingout from open first end 131 in this example. In other examples, mediaitem 121 and/or media item 124 may be flush with open first end 131 ornot extending out from open first end 131 at all. Similarly, shuffler111 may be flush with open first end 131 or not extend out from openfirst end 131 at all despite what is shown in this example. In somecases, storage apparatus 100 may be considered a storage magazine foritems of removable storage media.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0029] for theprevious paragraph [0029] beginning on page 6, line 14, as follows:

FIG. 1B illustrates storage apparatus 100 in which items of removablestorage media can be shuffled. In FIG. 1B, the side of housing 101,which would otherwise be blocking a view inside of housing 101, isomitted to view an example of what may be contained inside housing 101.In this example, media items 121-123 are located in top channel 102while media items 124-127 are located in bottom channel 103. Whilehousing 101 is four media items deep in this example, other examples maybe any number of two or more media items deep. Like is the case withhousing 101, media items 121-127 are shown as rectangular boxes but, inpractice, may be shaped differently and have different features (e.g.,may not be perfectly rectangular, may include depressions and/orprotrusions, may include access holes, etc.).

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0030] for theprevious paragraph [0030] beginning on page 6, line 24, as follows:

Separator 104 is a part of housing 101, or is otherwise attached tohousing 101, to separate top channel 102 from bottom channel 103 so thatmedia items in top channel 102 do not fall into bottom channel 103.Though shown above separator 104 for clarity, it should be understoodthat media items 121-123 will rest on separator 104 due to gravity whenhousing 101 is oriented with top channel 102 on top and bottom channel103 on bottom. Separator 104 may be a continuous piece of material fromopen first end 131 towards closed second end 132, or may be a series ofsmaller pieces, such as tabs, that are spaced an appropriate distanceapart so as media items 121-123 do not fall into bottom channel 103 andare still able to slide within top channel 102 as described herein.Likewise, while shown under media items 121-123, separator 104 mayinstead protrude into a channel in each side of media items 121-123 or aprotrusion(s) from each side of media items 121-123 may insert into achannel in the sides of housing 101 that act as separator 104. Othermanners of preventing items in top channel 102 from falling into bottomchannel 103 may also be used. Separator 104 does not extend the entirelength of housing 101. Rather, a gap exists between the end of separator104 and closed second end 132 that is large enough for a media item todrop from top channel 102 into bottom channel 103. In this example, nomedia item is in top channel 102 over the gap so as to not fall throughthe gap onto media item 127.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0031] for theprevious paragraph [0031] beginning on page 7, line 11, as follows:

In this example, shuffler 111 includes catch 112 and rake 113 that arecoupled to one another at opposite ends of the shuffler 111. Catch 112is located at or near first open end 131 so that a gripper can gripcatch 112 at first open end 131 and pull shuffler 111 outward away fromfirst open end 131 (i.e., to the left with respect to FIG. 1B). Agripper may be a mechanical device, such as a robotic transport in anautomated removable media storage library, although, in some cases, thegripper may be a human hand for manual operation. Rake 113 is at the endof shuffler 111 that is at or near closed second end 132. While theportion of shuffler 111 between catch 112 and rake 113 isshaped/positioned so as not to interfere with movement of media items124-127, rake 113 protrudes into bottom channel 103 so as to makecontact with media item 127 when catch 112 is pulled outward from opensecond end 131. As such, when catch 112 is pulled outward from opensecond end 131, rake 113 also moves to the left towards open second end131 and pushes media item 127 towards open second end 131 as well. Sincemedia items 124-126 are between media item 127 and open second end 131,media item 127 pushes media items 124-126 towards open second end 131 aswell. While shown with a gap between items, it should be understood thatmedia items 124-127 abut one another to allow for the items to push oneanother (same for items 121-123). Although rake 113 contacts the back ofmedia item 127 in this example, rake 113 may catch other places in otherexamples. For instance, rake 113 may protrude into a cavity on theunderside of media item 127. Alternatively, rake 113 may protrude inwardfrom the sides of housing 101 rather than up from the bottom, ascurrently shown. In those examples, shuffler 111 may route throughhousing 101 along the sides as well rather than under media items124-127, as currently shown. Shuffler 111 is currently shown in aresting position and may be held in the resting position by a spring,elastic band/rope, or some other mechanism that holds shuffler 111 backtowards closed second end 132.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0032] for theprevious paragraph [0032] beginning on page 8, line 4, as follows:

FIG. 1C illustrates storage apparatus 100 in which items of removablestorage media can be shuffled. In this example, storage apparatus 100 isshown from the perspective looking directly at open first end 131. Assuch, media item 121 and media item 124 can be seen at open first end131. Media item 121 is held up from falling onto media item 124 byseparator 104. Separator 104 in this example is split into two separatelips protruding from the sides of housing 101 and extending back towardsclosed second end 132. In other examples, separator 104 may be a singlepiece stretching all the way across housing 101 to form a floor undermedia item 121 and the other media items in top channel 102.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0033] for theprevious paragraph [0033] beginning on page 8, line 13, as follows:

In this example, the internal area of housing 101 is shaped such thattop channel 102 and bottom channel 103 substantially match the shape ofthe media items stored therein. By maintaining a snug fit, items insingle file within the channels can push each other along the channeltowards open first end 131 and away from open first end 131 whilekeeping movement in other directions to a minimum. In some examples,guides may be installed within housing 101 to maintain properorientation of the media items within each channel. Though not shown,housing 101 may also include a guide channel, or some other type ofguide, to ensure shuffler 111 only moves predominantly in an inward andoutward direction (i.e., to the left and right in FIG. 1B). In someexamples, one or more tabs may be positioned inside of housing 101 thatenable media items to move one way and not the other. In this case,media items in top channel 102 would be allowed to move towards closedsecond end 132 and media items in bottom channel 103 would be allowed tomove towards open first end 131.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0035] for theprevious paragraph [0035] beginning on page 9, line 4, as follows:

FIG. 1D illustrates storage apparatus 100 in which items of removablestorage media can be shuffled. In this example, storage apparatus 100 isshown from the perspective looking directly at closed second end 132with any material blocking the view of the inside of housing 101removed. Media item 123 and separator 104 are shown as dashed linesbecause, as shown in FIG. 1B, separator 104 does not extend all the wayto closed second end 132 and media item 123 is not positioned abovemedia item 127 at the back of housing 101. Rake 113 includes two tabsthat protrude upwards from shuffler 111. This arrangement of rake 113 ismerely an example showing that rake 113 will catch media item 127 ifshuffler 111 is moved towards open first end 131. In other examples,rake 113 may be a single element, more than two elements, may have adifferent shape, may approach media item 127 from the sides rather thanthe bottom, or may take some other form that still enables rake 113 tocatch and push media item 127.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0036] for theprevious paragraph [0036] beginning on page 9, line 16, as follows:

FIG. 2 illustrates operation 200 for shuffling items of removablestorage media in a storage apparatus. In operation 200, a gripper gripscatch 112 of shuffler 111 (201). The gripper may be a mechanical device(e.g., one controlled by a computing system like computing architecture700) or may be a human user's hand. In these examples, bottom channel103 is at capacity, so gripping catch 112 may also grip media item 124.In other examples, the spot in which media item 124 occupies may beempty (e.g., during initial loading of media items into storageapparatus 100) so only catch 112 may be gripped. The gripper pulls catch112 outwards away from open first end 131 (i.e., to the left, asillustrated in FIG. 1B) to move shuffler 111 (201). Rake 113, being apart of shuffler 111, is propelled by shuffler 111 to move media items124-127 towards open first end 131. A catch, or other type of movementlimiter, within housing 101 may prevent shuffler 111 from moving morethan necessary to move media item 125 into media item 124'spreviousposition at open first end 131, media item 126 into media item125'sprevious position, and media item 127 into media item 126'spreviousposition. As such, shuffler 111 may only move a distance of the lengthof one media item from its resting position. The gripper releases catch112 and shuffler 111 returns to its resting position (203). One or moresprings, elastic bands/ropes, or some other object that storesmechanical energy when shuffler 111 is moved outward may then expendthat energy to pull shuffler 111 back to its resting position.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0039] for theprevious paragraph [0039] beginning on page 10, line 19, as follows:

In operational scenario 300, shuffler 311 is at resting position in step1 because it is not being acted upon by an outside force, such asgripper 340. Gripper 340 may simply be waiting for something to do ormay be performing some other task (e.g., moving media items other thanthose stored in housing 301). At step 2, gripper 340 moves into positionin front of media item 324 and grips catch 312. Once catch 312 isgripped, gripper 340 pulls catch 312 outwards from open first end 331 atstep 3 to a second position wherein the shuffler has been moved awayfrom the resting position. Catch 312 pulls out a distance equal to adistance necessary to move media item 325 into media item 324'svacatedposition when rake 313 pushes on media item 327. With media items325-327 now all moved over one position within bottom channel 303, mediaitem 324 has been removed from within housing 301.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0041] for theprevious paragraph [0041] beginning on page 11, line 14, as follows:

In this example, gripper 340 is being controlled to shuffle media items321-327 so that a certain one of media items 321-327 other than mediaitem 321 and media item 324 is positioned at the open first end. Thatcertain media item can then be extracted from housing 301 and moved toanother position in the library (e.g., to an access device). As such,gripper 340 moves media item 324 upward at step 5 to be in line with topchannel 302 for placement back into housing 301 within top channel 302.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0042] for theprevious paragraph [0042] beginning on page 11, line 20, as follows:

FIG. 3C illustrates operational scenario 300C for shuffling items ofremovable storage media in a storage apparatus. Operational scenario300C is a continuation of operational scenario 300. Once gripper 340 hasaligned media item 324 with top channel 302, gripper 340 pushes mediaitem 324 at step 6 into top channel 302. Pushing media item 324 into topchannel 302 causes media item 324 to push media items 321-323 deeperinto top channel 302 towards closed second end 332. Pushing media item324 all the way into top channel 302 causes media item 323 to be fullyover the gap in separator 304. Since the gap is large enough to formedia item 323 to pass, media item 323 falls into bottom channel 303 atstep 7. Specifically, media item 323 falls into a space in bottomchannel 303 that was created when media item 327 was moved by rake 313in step 3. At the end of operational scenario 300, top channel 302 andbottom channel 303 both contain the same number of media items, butthose media items are in a different order than they were at the onsetof operational scenario 300.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0043] for theprevious paragraph [0043] beginning on page 12, line 3, as follows:

If media item 325 is the media item targeted by gripper 340, thengripper 340 can now perform steps 2-4 again to move media item 325 outof housing 301 (e.g., into an access device). However, if another mediaitem is the targeted item, then gripper 340 may repeat steps 2-7 untilthe targeted item is accessible. For instance, if media item 326 is thetargeted item, then steps 2-7 would repeat just one more time to bringmedia item 326 to the front of bottom channel 303. In some examples, acontrol system (e.g., computing architecture 700 described below) forgripper 340 may track positions of media items 321-327 within housing301 to recognize how many iterations of steps 2-7 need be performeduntil the targeted media item is accessible. Moreover, for the storageapparatus to work properly, media items can only be added into topchannel 302 but can be removed from open first end 331 in either topchannel 302 or bottom channel 303. Removing a media item from topchannel 302 results in an open space at open first end 331 in topchannel 302. That media item could, therefore, simply be placed backinto the empty space left in top channel 302 or a new media item cantake its place.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0046] for theprevious paragraph [0046] beginning on page 13, line 1, as follows:

Advantageously, despite seven media items fitting into housing 301, openfirst end 331, which faces gripper 340 (e.g., faces an aisle in whichgripper 340 moves within a library), uses the same amount oftwo-dimensional space as two single media item slots would (e.g., oneslot would hold media item 321 and the other would hold media item 324but none of the other media items would be located behind them). Gripper340 also does not require more space than is necessary to remove onemedia item from housing 301 in order to shuffle media items withinhousing 301. As such, if gripper 340 moves within an aisle of anautomated removable storage media library, the aisle does not need to bewidened to accommodate access to media items stored behind those at openfirst end 331. Also, since the media item at open first end 331 in topchannel 302 can be removed and then replaced back where it was taken(e.g., after accessing the media item), media items that are accessedmore frequently may be stored in that position. Media items that requireshuffling to remove from housing 301 may be items that are less oftenaccessed.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0047] for theprevious paragraph [0047] beginning on page 13, line 14, as follows:

FIG. 4A illustrates storage apparatus 400 in which items of removablestorage media can be shuffled. Storage apparatus 400 is an example wherestorage apparatus 100 is a magazine for storing magnetic tapecartridges. In this example, housing 401 of storage apparatus 400 istransparent to show tape cartridges 421-427 housed therein, although, adifferent number of tape cartridges may be accommodated by housing 401in other examples. Tape cartridges 421-423 are located in a top channelwhile tape cartridges 424-427 are located in a bottom channel. Shuffler411 is also shown under tape cartridges 424-427. When in its restingposition, catch 412 of shuffler 411 is positioned next to a depressionin tape cartridge 424 that is used to grab tape cartridge 424. Each ofthe other tapes include the same depression, as shown. Rake 413 ofshuffler 411 protrudes into the bottom channel between tape cartridge427 and a closed second end of housing 401.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0048] for theprevious paragraph [0048] beginning on page 13, line 26, as follows:

FIG. 4B illustrates storage apparatus 400 in which items of removablestorage media can be shuffled. In this example, the end of storageapparatus 400 towards closed second end 432 is shown from a sideperspective with the side of housing 401 removed for visibility. Fromthis angle, shuffler 411 can be seen running between tape cartridges424-427 and a bottom side of housing 401. Similarly, rake 413 can beseen protruding upward from shuffler 411 into the bottom channel to restbetween tape cartridge 427 and closed second end 432. Also, separator404 can be seen separating tape cartridges 421-423 in the top channeland tape cartridges 424-427 in the bottom channel. Separator 404 endsbefore extending over tape cartridge 427 to allow a tape cartridge todrop into the bottom channel, as described above.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0049] for theprevious paragraph [0049] beginning on page 14, line 5, as follows:

FIG. 4C illustrates storage apparatus 400 in which items of removablestorage media can be shuffled. In this example, storage apparatus 400 isviewed at an angle that shows the underside of storage apparatus 400with a bottom side omitted from housing 401. This angle shows the twotabs that make up catch 412 are bent upwards from shuffler 411 along theside of tape cartridge 424. Shuffler 411 splits into two rails thatextend back through housing 401 and end at closed second end 432 withtwo tabs that make up rake 413. Spring 405 is connected to shuffler 411where shuffler 411 splits into the two rails. While the other end ofspring 405 is not shown connected to anything, that end of spring 405 isconnected to the bottom side of housing 401 when present. Since shuffler411 moves outward from housing 401 when pulled, spring 405 stores energydue to one end being connected to housing 401, which does not move. Whenshuffler 411 is released, the energy stored in spring 405 moves shuffler411 back to resting position.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0052] for theprevious paragraph [0052] beginning on page 15, line 13, as follows:

FIG. 7 illustrates storage apparatus 700 in which items of removablestorage media can be shuffled. Storage apparatus 700 is similar tostorage apparatus 100. Storage apparatus 700 includes housing 701,having open first end 731 and closed second end 732, and shuffler 711. Aside of housing 701 is omitted in this example to show the innerworkings of storage apparatus 700. In this example, storage apparatus700 is currently storing media items 721-727 with media items 721-723 intop channel 702 and media items 724-727 in bottom channel 703. Separator704 separates top channel 702 from bottom channel 703. In storageapparatus 700, shuffler 711 includes two components, bottom shuffler711A and top shuffler 711B. Bottom shuffler 711A is similar to theshufflers described above and includes catch 712 and rake 713. However,in this example, bottom shuffler 711A includes collapsible rakes 714A-Bspaced between media items to assist with the shuffling process when,housing 701 is not completely full (e.g., when there is a gap of one ormore of media items 721-727 not presently stored in storage apparatus700). For example, if media item 727 was not present, then media item726 could not be pushed by media item 727 when catch 712 is pulledoutward from open first end 731 (i.e., to the left as shown) in a mannersimilar to step 3 from operational scenario 300. Collapsible rakes714A-B, as their name implies, are collapsible so that they can moveunder media items in bottom channel 703 when shuffler 711 returns to itsresting position. Specifically, collapsible rakes 714A-B may each hingefrom at the bottom so that they collapse down towards the left, ratherthan catching on a media item, when bottom shuffler 711A is moving tothe right to return to the resting position. If no media item is presentin a position, the corresponding collapsible rake for that position mayremain erect. Collapsible rakes 714A-B may be spring loaded (or use someother mechanism) so as to pop back up when not passing under a mediaitem. Collapsible rakes 714A-B do not collapse in the other direction(i.e., down and towards the right). Thus, when catch 712 is pulled tothe left, collapsible rakes 714A-B with both catch on any media item(s)that may be present and pull the media items to the left as well. Forinstance, if only media item 726 was located in bottom channel 703,collapsible rake 714B would push media item 726 to the left into thespot where media item 725 is shown to be located. Then, when bottomshuffler 711A returns to its resting position, collapsible rake 714Awill collapse to travel under media item 726 before returning to itserect position on the right side of media item 726.

Please amend and substitute the following paragraph [0059] for theprevious paragraph [0059] beginning on page 18, line 11, as follows:

In particular, media shuffle module 808 directs processing system 803 togrip, via a gripper, a catch of a shuffler for moving a first subset ofitems of removable storage media that are in a housing. The housingincludes a top channel and a bottom channel that are shaped to acceptand store the items in respective single-file rows via an open firstend. The first subset includes ones of the items that are located in thebottom channel and, when in a resting position, the shuffler includesthe catch located at the open first end and a rake located at a closedsecond end of the housing at an opposite end from the open first end.The media shuffle module 808 directs processing system 803 to pull, viathe gripper, the catch outward from the open first end to move theshuffler, which propels the rake to move the first subset towards theopen first end. The media shuffle module 808 also directs processingsystem 803 to release the catch via the gripper, wherein the shufflerreturns to the resting position upon the catch being released.

Please delete the Abstract beginning at page 24, line 2, and replacewith the following Abstract:

An apparatus includes a housing that is configured to receive and retaina plurality of removable storage media, and a shuffler that ispositioned at least partially within the housing. The housing includesan open first end, an opposed, closed second end, a first channel thatreceives and retains a first subset of the plurality of removablestorage media, and a second channel that receives and retains a secondsubset of the plurality of removable storage media. The first channeland the second channel are shaped to receive and retain the plurality ofremovable storage media in respective single-file rows via the openfirst end. The shuffler is movable between a resting position and asecond position wherein the shuffler has been moved away from theresting position. The shuffler includes a rake that protrudes into thefirst channel to contact and move a first removable storage medium ofthe first subset of the plurality of removable storage media toward theopen first end when the shuffler is moved from the resting position tothe second position.

1. An apparatus comprising: a housing that is configured to receive andretain a plurality of removable storage media, the housing including anopen first end, an opposed, closed second end, a first channel that isconfigured to receive and retain a first subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media, and a second channel that is configured toreceive and retain a second subset of the plurality of removable storagemedia, the first channel and the second channel being shaped to receiveand retain the plurality of removable storage media in respectivesingle-file rows via the open first end; and a shuffler that ispositioned at least partially within the housing, the shuffler beingmovable between a resting position and a second position wherein theshuffler has been moved away from the resting position, the shufflerincluding a rake that protrudes into the first channel to contact andmove a first removable storage medium of the first subset of theplurality of removable storage media toward the open first end when theshuffler is moved from the resting position to the second position. 2.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the rake contacts and moves thefirst removable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media toward the open first end as the shuffler ismoved from the resting position to the second position, the shufflermoves each of the first subset of the plurality of removable storagemedia toward the open first end.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theshuffler further includes a catch that is coupled to the rake; andwherein when the shuffler is in the resting position, the catch islocated near the open first end and the rake is positioned near theclosed second end.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising agripper that is configured to selectively grip the catch and pull thecatch outwardly away from the open first end to move the shuffler fromthe resting position to the second position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4wherein the gripper includes a robotic transport within an automatedremovable storage media library, the robotic transport including a bodyand a claw that is coupled to the body; and wherein the claw isconfigured to selectively grip the catch to move the shuffler from theresting position to the second position.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4wherein when the shuffler is in the resting position, the catch ispositioned relative to a second removable storage medium of the firstsubset of the plurality of removable storage media such that, when thegripper grips the second removable storage medium, the gripper alsogrips the catch.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprisingcomputing architecture including a processing system that is configuredto control the gripper.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising aspring that is attached to the shuffler and the housing; and whereinforce from the spring returns the shuffler to the resting position whenthe catch is released by the gripper.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the shuffler further includes a second rake that protrudes intothe first channel to contact and move a second removable storage mediumof the first subset of the plurality of removable storage media towardthe open first end when the shuffler is moved from the resting positionto the second position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the secondrake is collapsible.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the firstchannel is a bottom channel that is configured to receive and retain thefirst subset of the plurality of removable storage media; and whereinthe second channel is a top channel that is configured to receive andretain the second subset of the plurality of removable storage media,the top channel being positioned substantially directly above the bottomchannel.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a separatorthat inhibits the second subset of the plurality of removable storagemedia from falling onto the first subset of the plurality of removablestorage media.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a gap in theseparator at the closed second end is large enough to allow a secondremovable storage medium of the second subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media to fall into the bottom channel.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13 further comprising a retaining catch that islocated in the gap; wherein when the shuffler has been moved away fromthe resting position, the retaining catch holds the second removablestorage medium in the top channel; and wherein when the shuffler returnsto the resting position, the retaining catch is released to allow thesecond removable storage medium to fall into the bottom channel.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 13 wherein when inserting a third removable storagemedium into the top channel for inclusion in the second subset of theplurality of removable storage media, the third removable storage mediumpushes other removable storage media in the second subset of theplurality of removable storage media towards the closed second end; andwherein the second removable storage medium falls into the bottomchannel upon clearing the gap.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theplurality of removable storage media include magnetic tape cartridges.17. A method comprising the steps of: receiving and retaining aplurality of removable storage media within a housing, the housingincluding an open first end, an opposed, closed second end, a firstchannel that is configured to receive and retain a first subset of theplurality of removable storage media, and a second channel that isconfigured to receive and retain a second subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media, the first channel and the second channel beingshaped to receive and retain the plurality of removable storage media inrespective single-file rows via the open first end; positioning ashuffler at least partially within the housing; and moving the shufflerbetween a resting position and a second position wherein the shufflerhas been moved away from the resting position, the shuffler including arake that protrudes into the first channel to contact and move a firstremovable storage medium of the first subset of the plurality ofremovable storage media toward the open first end when the shuffler ismoved from the resting position to the second position.
 18. The methodof claim 17 wherein the step of moving includes the shuffler furtherincluding a catch that is coupled to the rake; wherein when the shuffleris in the resting position, the catch is located near the open first endand the rake is positioned near the closed second end; and the methodfurther comprising the steps of selectively gripping the catch with agripper; and pulling the catch outwardly away from the open first endwith the gripper to move the shuffler from the resting position to thesecond position.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step ofreceiving and retaining includes the first channel being a bottomchannel that is configured to receive and retain the first subset of theplurality of removable storage media, and the second channel being a topchannel that is configured to receive and retain the second subset ofthe plurality of removable storage media, the top channel beingpositioned substantially directly above the bottom channel; and themethod further comprising the step of inhibiting the second subset ofthe plurality of removable storage media from falling onto the firstsubset of the plurality of removable storage media with a separator. 20.The method of claim 19 wherein the step of inhibiting includes theseparator including a gap at the closed second end that is large enoughto allow a second removable storage medium of the second subset of theplurality of removable storage media to fall into the bottom channel;and the method further comprising the steps of positioning a retainingcatch in the gap; wherein when the shuffler has been moved away from theresting position, holding the second removable storage medium in the topchannel with the retaining catch; and wherein when the shuffler returnsto the resting position, releasing the retaining catch to allow thesecond removable storage medium to fall into the bottom channel.